In a statement in Asaba by his Chief Press Secretary, Dennis Otu, the Speaker said that the country has made tremendous progress, adding that current challenges were for a while.
“I want to congratulate fellow Nigerians on the 57th Independence Anniversary of our country. We have done very well as a nation and people since the attainment of Independence.
“We have done well at 57 and the future is so bright. The current challenges are surmountable and so we should not despair. There is hope for our dear country,” he said.
The Speaker added that Nigerians should continue to work hard for the Nigeria of our dreams, saying “collectively we will get to the Promised Land. Let us do away with violence and those things capable of tearing our country apart.
“Though the journey has not been easy, we have come this far as a Nation and people and so we must continue to live in peace and unity,”
The speaker advised against compromise of the unity of the country, saying “We cannot afford to compromise the unity of our country. We must all rise against all threats to the corporate existence of our country.”
He admonished Nigerians to remain united, adding that dialogue, rather than war, should be adhered to in settling disputes in the country.